HARTFORD ATHLETIC (7-4-3) vs COLORADO SPRINGS SWITCHBACKS (6-6-3)
Date: Saturday, August 7th
Time: 9:00 PM ET
Location: Weidner Field, Colorado Springs, CO
Local TV: WCTX MyTV9
Streaming: ESPN+ or https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/hartfordathletic/watch
Last Time Out:
In an action-packed, back and forth Atlantic Division battle, Hartford Athletic and Miami FC played to a 1-1 draw at Dillon Stadium. Goals by both sides came in the first half.
Composure Starts with (C)aldwell:
Jeff Caldwell has been nothing short of class between the sticks for Hartford this season, starting all 14 matches for the Athletic. When asked about the stability Jeff gives in net, Head Coach Harry Watling responded, “I thought Jeff was faultless…I think the way he defends his goal is a massive strength… I say, every week, I think we have the best goalkeeper in the division.” Week in and week out, if the going gets tough for the Athletic, Caldwell has the composure to find the right pass out from the back or make a crucial save to keep Hartford in the match. It is clear that Coach Watling backs his keeper, and it goes without saying that Jeff is crucial to this Hartford squad going forward.
In Harry We Trust:
Soccer is a sport measured by results, and Hartford’s Head Coach Harry Watling is convinced that his squad is headed in the right direction. “This is a results business, but for me it’s a performance business as well…the Boys showed their character to bounce back, and the performance, I was really happy with; pressing from the front, building from the back, trying to play through, and creating chances.” In just his first season in charge, Watling has got this Athletic squad fighting and playing at a high level. Instilling his energetic play style, he says “I want to be everyone’s favorite second team, if not already their first.”
Players to Watch:
Hartford Athletic, Kenan Hot, MF #19
Kenan joins the Athletic as a 17-year-old Albanian-American with more experience than many. He spent 3 years with New York Red Bulls II and had a brief stint at FC Motown before being signed by Hartford. In his debut, Kenan played 45 minutes, completing 24 passes and registering a shot that nearly found the bottom corner. Unafraid to take people on and create chances at such a young age, it is without a doubt that Hartford have themselves a youngster who will be keen on playing and providing for this Athletic squad.
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, Hadji Barry, FW #10
Hadji Barry comes into the match against Hartford as the league’s top scorer, with 14 goals and 3 assists in 15 matches. All 14 of his goals have come from inside the box, which means the Athletic center backs will need to be aware of his movement in the box if they are to stop his goal scoring threat. Colorado rank 1st in the league for big chances missed, so the Switchbacks will look to Barry to lead the line up top and provide them with the final product they desperately need to win this game.
About the Opponent:
Hartford travel to Weidner Field this weekend to take on Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. This will be the first encounter for the two, as the Switchbacks play in the Western Conference Mountain Division. Colorado have lost as many games at home as they have away and concede 1.7 goals per match, ranking them 25th highest in the USL. They do, however, rank 2nd for big chances created, but rank 1st for big chances missed. The key for Colorado will be Hadji Barry, the league’s top scorer.
INJURY REPORT:
Hartford Athletic:
Out: Prpa (Foot), Tabort Etaka (Hand)
Questionable: Gomez (Knee), Jamieson IV (Hamstring)
Colorado Springs Switchbacks:
Out: Serna (Leg);
Questionable: Burt (Leg); Hundley (Ankle); Melvin (Head); Hodge (Knee); Zandi (Hip)
Join the Conversation
Follow along on Twitter @hfdathletic and #COSvHFD
HARTFORD ATHLETIC (7-4-3) vs COLORADO SPRINGS SWITCHBACKS (6-6-3)
Date:Â Saturday, August 7th
Time: 9:00 PM ET
Location: Weidner Field, Colorado Springs, CO
Local TV:Â WCTX MyTV9
Streaming: ESPN+ or https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/hartfordathletic/watch
Last Time Out:
In an action-packed, back and forth Atlantic Division battle, Hartford Athletic and Miami FC played to a 1-1 draw at Dillon Stadium. Goals by both sides came in the first half.
Composure Starts with (C)aldwell:
Jeff Caldwell has been nothing short of class between the sticks for Hartford this season, starting all 14 matches for the Athletic. When asked about the stability Jeff gives in net, Head Coach Harry Watling responded, “I thought Jeff was faultless…I think the way he defends his goal is a massive strength… I say, every week, I think we have the best goalkeeper in the division.” Week in and week out, if the going gets tough for the Athletic, Caldwell has the composure to find the right pass out from the back or make a crucial save to keep Hartford in the match. It is clear that Coach Watling backs his keeper, and it goes without saying that Jeff is crucial to this Hartford squad going forward.
In Harry We Trust:
Soccer is a sport measured by results, and Hartford’s Head Coach Harry Watling is convinced that his squad is headed in the right direction. “This is a results business, but for me it’s a performance business as well…the Boys showed their character to bounce back, and the performance, I was really happy with; pressing from the front, building from the back, trying to play through, and creating chances.” In just his first season in charge, Watling has got this Athletic squad fighting and playing at a high level. Instilling his energetic play style, he says “I want to be everyone’s favorite second team, if not already their first.”
Players to Watch:
Hartford Athletic, Kenan Hot, MF #19
Kenan joins the Athletic as a 17-year-old Albanian-American with more experience than many. He spent 3 years with New York Red Bulls II and had a brief stint at FC Motown before being signed by Hartford. In his debut, Kenan played 45 minutes, completing 24 passes and registering a shot that nearly found the bottom corner. Unafraid to take people on and create chances at such a young age, it is without a doubt that Hartford have themselves a youngster who will be keen on playing and providing for this Athletic squad.
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, Hadji Barry, FW #10
Hadji Barry comes into the match against Hartford as the league’s top scorer, with 14 goals and 3 assists in 15 matches. All 14 of his goals have come from inside the box, which means the Athletic center backs will need to be aware of his movement in the box if they are to stop his goal scoring threat. Colorado rank 1st in the league for big chances missed, so the Switchbacks will look to Barry to lead the line up top and provide them with the final product they desperately need to win this game.
About the Opponent:
Hartford travel to Weidner Field this weekend to take on Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. This will be the first encounter for the two, as the Switchbacks play in the Western Conference Mountain Division. Colorado have lost as many games at home as they have away and concede 1.7 goals per match, ranking them 25th highest in the USL. They do, however, rank 2nd for big chances created, but rank 1st for big chances missed. The key for Colorado will be Hadji Barry, the league’s top scorer.
INJURY REPORT:
Hartford Athletic:
Out: Prpa (Foot), Tabort Etaka (Hand)
Questionable: Gomez (Knee), Jamieson IV (Hamstring)
Colorado Springs Switchbacks:
Out: Serna (Leg);
Questionable: Burt (Leg); Hundley (Ankle); Melvin (Head); Hodge (Knee); Zandi (Hip)
Join the Conversation
Follow along on Twitter @hfdathletic and #COSvHFD
